The Professional Bowling Association is debuting its new team format this week. The events are
being contested in Detroit.Amateur bowlers have seen the value in the team concept as teams are the
bread and butter of most leagues throughout the country.Ray Bluth, Don Carter, Tom Hennessey, Pat
Patterson and Dick Weber comprised the famed Budweiser team in the 1950s. Despite its 1958 record 3,858
team total being broken more than 38 years later, they still are considered the greatest team of bowlers
ever assembled.Because of the primary focus of the PBA, individual recognition has been a dominant focus
for bowlers in recent years. There are far too many league bowlers who have diminished the value of
working together as a team.A good team member:• Will worry more about the team winning than their
individual accomplishments. Better to bowl a bad game and the team win, than to bowl great and still
have the team lose its game or match.• Encourages a teammate if they have a bad frame or game. It serves
no purpose to berate your teammate for an errant shot or a rough game.• Gently provides a suggestion or
comment primarily only after being asked by a teammate. With a good cooperative relationship, can
initiate such a conversation by saying something like, "I saw something in your (release, approach,
delivery, etc.) that may help you if you are interested in hearing about it."By such a comment you
provide your fellow bowler with the opportunity to hear about your observation or suggestion.•
Congratulates the opponents on a good ball, split conversion, etc. as well as a high-scoring game or
series. By keeping the atmosphere friendly (even though you may be quietly and politely rooting for the
opposing team to stumble) it spurs better bowing by you and your teammates.• Puts the team’s needs ahead
of their own individual glory.Anyone who has not tried bowling on a team in an organized league, should
consider the possibility. Many teams often need a substitute for a night or a replacement due to injury
or other circumstances during the middle of a season.Youth of the Week: Youth bowlers who bowled the
most pins over their average in any one game, with pins over, were: Jan. 12: Brendon Kolkemeyer, 64;
Dawson Wohler, 63; Oletha Ketcham, 53; Destiny Garner, 31. Jan. 19: Kelly Miller, 63; Erin Spangenberg,
55; Logan Keller, 62; Jackson Stevens, 54.Footbowling time: Al-Mar’s fourth annual Footbowl Championship
is Feb. 3 at 10 a.m.Teams of three bowlers will compete in the handicap event, which converts bowling
success into field goals, touchdowns etc. The football scores based on the team points won will win the
match and remain alive in a team bracket format. Entry fee is $30 per bowler, with first place estimated
at $450 for the championship team, based on a full squad of 16 teams.Footbowl points are awarded for
individual as well as team success.Visit or call the bowling center at (419) 352-4637 for complete
details. The event is open to the first 16 teams to pay their entry.Surviving the game: The six bowlers
eliminated in Week 13 of Al-Mar’s "Surviving the Game" were primarily from the Elks and
American leagues. Those eliminated with pins under average were: Matt Truman, Elks, 97; Al Seifert,
Elks, 88; Jim Korpusik, American, 87; Bill Ryan, American, 82; Vinny Nuhfer, Elks, 81; and Nate
Henschen, Randy Miller Classic, 77.High Rollers:Bowler Game SeriesHouse shotPancha Melendrez 256,235
706Pancha Melendrez 268 672Jodie Wint 267 659,824Mary Ann Dimick 225 615Dawn Poirier 220 -Dean Bressler
278 -Nate Foos 277 -National tourney shotScotty Santysiak 277 –